UTSA official census indicates nearly 5,000 first-time students arrived this fall

UTSA students at Sombrilla Plaza on Main Campus

By Jesus Chavez
Public Affairs Specialist

(Oct. 23, 2014) -- The University of Texas at San Antonio welcomed 4,966 new Roadrunners this fall, according to an official census report by the UTSA Office of Institutional Research. The fall 2014 freshman class is one of the largest in UTSA's history.

Nearly 60 percent of UTSA's incoming students graduated in the top quartile of their high school graduating classes, a significant increase from 38 percent just five years ago. This fall, 67 percent of UTSA's incoming freshmen are enrolled in 15 or more semester hours.

UTSA receives approximately 15,000 completed fall semester applications each year, and admission was offered to about 60 percent of those applicants this fall. UTSA has steadily increased admissions standards over the last several years to encourage student success and graduation in four years.

Recently, UTSA established additional merit-based scholarship opportunities to attract additional high-achieving students to the university. The Top Scholars program and Distinguished Presidential Scholarship are advancing UTSA's path toward Tier One status by supporting the proactive recruitment of high-caliber, first-time freshmen.

Among them are freshmen like Sandeep Chilakamarri, an award-winning classical pianist fluent in three languages. Chilakamarri chose to come to UTSA this fall after learning about the academic and research opportunities available to him.

Chilakamarri, a freshman biology major, was recruited out of high school into the UTSA Top Scholars program. Through the program, he is receiving a four-year scholarship that includes funding for his tuition, fees, and room and board. He says that UTSA's dedication to research and educational excellence is giving him the opportunities he needs to evolve his academic understanding as he prepares for medical school.

"As a freshman at UTSA with a fascination in neuroscience, I am absolutely thrilled and honored to be part of a university with countless opportunities for research, enrichment and extracurricular involvement," said Chilakamarri. "My time at UTSA will no doubt set me up for future success in my academic and professional endeavors."

UTSA continues to be a leading Hispanic-serving institution. More than half of its incoming freshman students this fall are of Hispanic heritage, and the majority of the freshmen graduated in the top quartile of their high school graduating classes. Additionally, UTSA's newest class hails from nearly all 50 U.S. states.

"UTSA is clearly the university of choice for highly qualified students who want a top-tier college experience," said George Norton, Ed.D, UTSA associate vice president of admissions, orientation and family programs, and recruitment information systems. "They know, when they come to UTSA, they will have access to excellence and graduate with the skills needed to enter a competitive global workforce and become the leaders of tomorrow."

Statistics for All UTSA Students:
Overall UTSA Student Population

Total Students

New Students

Continuing Students

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For more information about how to apply, visit the UTSA Admissions website.

Learn more about scholarship opportunities at the UTSA Scholarships website.

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